Augusta: The first major golf tournament of 2026, the Masters, commenced its first round at Augusta National, a 7,565-yard, par-72 course in Georgia, USA, on Thursday local time. Rory McIlroy, the 36-year-old world number two from Northern Ireland, began with a joint lead alongside American Sam Burns, both achieving a total score of 5 under par 67. They were trailed by Jason Day from Australia, Kurt Kitayama, and Patrick Reed from the United States, who each shot 3 under par 69.
According to Thai News Agency, "FIFA" Pongsapak Laopakdee, a 21-year-old Thai golfer, made history as the first Thai amateur to participate in the competition. He earned his entry by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai last October. On the opening day, FIFA recorded 3 birdies and 11 bogeys, resulting in a score of 8 over par 80, which placed him in a tie for 82nd.